Bore hole surveying apparatus



A. ANDERSON BORE HOLE SURVEYING APPARATUS Original Filed May ll, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheei'l l X. E... /l L l. .i \\\|\\.l\|\\ll. f (PNV Tal .|\\||\l. :Il L .I

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BOREA HOLE SURVEYING APPARATUS Original Filed May ll, 1927 3 Shee'ts-Sheel'l 3 Patented Apr. 18, 19331 ALEXANDER ANDERSON, F FULLRTON, CALIFORNIA noms nom suavmmr'c manana Original application tied lay 1l, 192?, Serial No. 190,841. Divided and this application led Iarcli 4,

1981. Serial No. 580,096. c

l This invention relates to an apparatus for surveying bore holes and more particularly to an improvement upon the apparatus shown and described in Letters Patent No. 1,801,132

granted to me on an application filed August 28,1924, Ser. No. 734,577; and the instant application is a true division of my previous application Ser. No. 190,641 filed May 11, 192

1o It is an object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus for accurately ascertaining the -amount of inclination of a bore hole and if desired the direction of such inclination relative to a chosen diameter of the apparatus.

It is a further object of my invention to provide` a surveyfdevice which may be attached toa line of pipe or other supporting means and lowered into the bore hole for the A:to purpose of automatically making a record of the changes of inclinatlons as the device is moved along the bore hole. Inthe embodiy ment of the invention shown and described herein, a light-sensitive record member is gli employed together with a light sourceand an improved form of reflecting means which 'is operative to produce a record or 'records of inclination upon the light-sensitive record member upon energizing the light source.

In accordance with the present invention, the reflecting means comprises one or more movable reflectors each mounted for movement in a single plane in combination with means for establishing a reference point, line or plane whereby the inclination or tilting of the survey device may be more accuratel determined. The last-mentioned means pre erably comprises or includes one or more fixed mirrors positioned to reflect light from the 4.0' light source upon the .light-sensitive record member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a. reflecting means adapted to make accurate survey records lwithin an outer casing of' very small diameter. This form of the apparatus may include a xed reflector adapted to receive light from a movable reflector and reflect it onto the light sensitive member.

Other objects and advantages of the inven- 50. tion will be apparent from consideration of the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical section of the portion of the survey device in which the present -invention is embodied;"

Fig. 2 is -a cross section of the same taken on lthe line II-II of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section and partially in'elevation, showing the detailed construction of the reflecting means and associated elements;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the1 underlying principles of the invention; an

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a modif1- cation.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section showing a reflecting device and associated elements of a modified form. 1 Fig. 7 is a. cross section taken on the line 7o M-MofFi, 1;.6.`A

Referring particularly -to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the surveying instrument shown is of the ty disclosed in my prior patent referred to a ve, being adapted to be '15 attached to a line of pipe or other-'supporting means and lowered intoja bore hole to be surveyed, the supporting means vfor example forming partof the usual drilling `or operating equipment at the well.y .The'instrument so comprises an outer shell 10, corresponding in all essential "respectsto the Aelgirriiiit C of the Y instrument described in saidpri'orpatent, a record-supporting or 4film sleeve 11 and an instrumentJ-tube12 both .suitably sup- .f1 ported within the shell'lO.J

light source, such asan electric lamp 13, is supported near the lower end of the .tube 1-2 and is adapted 'to cooperate'with reflectingmeans also carried by the tube' and to be `described in detail hereinafter whereby -a record is made of the inclination ofthein-v strument to the vertical when in 'positlon 1n a borehole. light trap member 14enclosing the lamp 13 except for -an aperture at o5 the top may be arranged as shown to prevent undue dispersion ofthe light with consequent undesired exposure of the record sheet. For an understanding of the present invention, i-t

is suilicient' to consider merely the construc- 100 o the tube 12 to centralize the sleeve 11 and facilitate its relative movementl with respect to tle tube. A cylindrical film or light-sensitive sheet 17 is supported by the collar 15 within and closely conforming to the interior surface of the sleeve 11. The' film 17 in realemployed. which are arranged in a generally.

ity, is a rectangular sheet which is curved into cylindrical forni,the edges preferably Y slightly overlapping as indicated at' inl Fig. 2.

The Elm-carrying sleeve 11 may be transparent'and the film 17 may in that case be wrapped around the exterior thereof; and instead of using arectangular sheet of film, y a number of vertical strips of film may be cylindrical film-carrying s1 eeve in such manner as to receive the light impressions :fromy the reflecting means.-

' One form of reflecting means comprises two 3o or more movable reflecting elements 2O each pivotally or movably-supported in a single planei -Each of the reflecting elements 20 comprises `a semi-cylindrical block or shell pivoted upon a horizontal axis in such a manv ner as to assume angular positions depending upon the direction and extent of tilting of the instrument, it being ythe object of the invention to provide an instrument for measuring and recording these factors. As shown, the

40 axis of each element 2O is perpendicular to "a radius of the instrument tube 12.

It is convenient to employ five reflecting elements equally spaced from each other around i the central axis of the instrument with their axes in a single plane, as shown in Fig.'y 2.

The instrument tube 12 which constitutes a shield for the light sensitive record member,

is provided with a series of apertures 21, corresponding in number to the number of rev flecting elements and 'through which the refleeting elements can reect light to make a recordupon the film 17. In order to obtain characteristic records from which the inclinations of the instrument may be determined,

the lperiphery of each reflecting element is provided with distinctive reflecting areas 22. These distinctive areas which produce varying or different impressions or images upon the film may be formed in any desired manner, as

by marking or scratching small mirrors or reflecting surfaces or by utilizing mirrors of different and distinctive shapes.

These distinctive reflecting areas are preferably flat and are preferably tangential to the periphery of the semi-circular shell and are tion of the bore.

y Lacasse preferably spaced around the shell at equal angular intervals or may be'spaced at unequal known intervals.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, one'or more fixed mirrors 23, of which five are shown, are also arranged to provide alreference point or line upon the film to facilitate the measurement of the results and improve the accuracy thereof. Suitably located apertures 23a (Fig. 2) inV the instrument tube l2, corresponding in number to the fixed reectors 23, permit the light reflected from them to register on the film. If only one fixed mirror is employed, the overlapping ends 18 of the film (Fig. 2) are arranged opposite this mirror whereby impressions are made upon both 'ends of the film by the single mirror. A line joining these two impressions on thefflattened film, after it is developed, serves as a reference line from which to measure the deflections of the reflecting elements 20.

Although the single fixed mirror is sufficient, it is convenient to arrange a plurality of fixed mirrors 23 as shown, in case the film is underexposed and the impression on the end of the film which is covered by the other end is weak 'or indistinct. Where separate strips of film are employed as above described, itis desirable to utilize a fixed mirror 23 in connection with each strip.

The principles underlying the invention will be clear upon reference to Figs-3 and 4. The instrument is lowered to a position 'in the bore hole where it is desired to determinel the inclination and the direction of inclina- While'the instrument is held stationary, the lamp 13 is flashed by any suitable means, such for example as that shown in my prior patent above referred to. As shown in Fig. 3, each of the reflecting elements 20 assumes positions depending upon the extent and direction of the inclination of the instrument and therefore of the bore hole in which it is positioned. A distinctive image or record 24 (Fig. 4) is thus produced upon the film 17, which may be developed by well known photographic methods, and from which the extent and directionv of inclination may be determined. Although only the record corresponding to a single reflecting element 20 is shown in'Fig. 4, it will be apparent that similar records are btained upon the film 17 corresponding to he position of each of the reflecting elements, and it is from these several records, simultaneously made, that the inclination and the direction of inclination may be determined.

The fixed'mirror or mirrors 23 are operative to produce a record 25 (Fig. 4) through which Aa reference line 26 may be drawn in order that the deflections of the elementsv20 may be measured more conveniently and accurately. The provision of a plurality of fixed mirrors 23 or the produc- `nominee tion of two impressions from a single mirror, as described above, permits the accurate plotting on the final record of the exact angular position of the reflecting'elements 2O or other reference line which is essential for precise measurement of the quantities under consideration. Various modifications in the detailed construction and `arrangement may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, as shown in Fig. 5, where the diameter of the instrument tube 12 is small, a relatively fixed mirror 30 may be arranged to reflect the light from each of the reflect- 15 ing elements 20 through the apertures 21. In'

this manner, the reflecting elements 20, which are closer togetherthan in the first modification described above, are prevented) from lshielding the apertures through which th'e k exposure of the film is accomplished rand the length of the path of the`beam^of light reflected from the mirrors of the element 20 onto the record member 17 is thereby increased. In this Way, the amount of movement of the reflected image on the record, caused by a given tilting of the apparatus, is magnified to the end that a greater accuracy .of measurement may be obtained. Y

When the film is in cylindrical form in the` sleeve 11 as shown in Fig. 2 and the apparatus vis in a vertical position, then the line 26 (Fig. 4) is a circle-and lies in a horizontal.

., plane, which I shall call the reference plane. In order to simplify the explanation of the .35` way in which the data obtained from the film record (Fig. 4) made by eachrefiect- K in -element upon a single flashing of the lig t is interpreted, I will suppose that only these elements are placed at right angles to each other. v

When the apparatus is in a vertical position as in Fig. 1, then the records thrown upon the film by each of the two'elemlents both indicate zero inclination. y j Now, if the apparatus is tilted in the vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of one of the elements 20, that element will record the full amount of inclination of th'e apparatus and, owing to the characteristic nature of the reflected image, it will also record the direction in which it has rotated, so that the direction of inclination relative to the element and to a diameter ofthe apparatus is known.` The second element will record zero inclination because itsraxis'has been tilted endways and the centerv of gravity ofthe movable element 20 remains vertically below the axisA without any rotation.

The second case occurs when the apparatus is tilted in a plane which is not perpendicular to either of the axes ofthe elements 20. In this case, both elements rotate by an amount less than the total inclination of the apparatus and each of the two elements retwo reflecting elements 20 are used and that cords a component ofthe inclination. In fact, each element records the inclination of a radius drawn on the reference plane perpendicular to its own axis and also the direction of inclination of this radius with respect to its axis. From the data defining the inclination and relative direction of inclination of these two lines which, in this case, lie in the reference plane at right anglesto each other, the amount and direction of inclination of the plane and of the apparatus may be computed by ,well known methods.

When more than two reflecting elements are employed, then the amount of data available is increased. Another important advantage of using more than two reflecting elements arises when, owing to rou h handling of the apparatus during use, a earing 'of one ofthe reflecting elements is slightly damaged. The damaged element will develop friction and the records reflected from it will cease to agree lwith the records reflected from the remaining elements. By using five symmetrically arranged elements, an ample margin of data is obtained and the records reflected from any damaged element can be easily recognized as bad and can be eliminated with certainty, the calculations being based on the data of the undamaged velements which arein perfect agreement.

Another form or modified arrangement of reflecting 'device for my `bore hole survey apparatus is shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

In these figures, theY outer shell 10, the film-carrying sleeve 11, the instrument tube 12, the light-sensitive film 17 and fixed mirrors 23 correspond to similar elements bearing like numerals shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

.The arrangement of thismodification includes an axially vsupported and rotatably mounted mirror carriage or frame 45. The latter is fixed to, and carried by, a shaft 42, the bearings for whichv are shown at 43 and 44. The upper bearing 43 is secured to a member which closes the instrument tube 12; and the lower bearing 44 is fixed to a bracket arm 41 carried by a dependent arm 40 which Y is secured at its upper end to the same member which carries the upper bearing and which forms a 'closure for the upperrend of the instrument tube.` The shaft 42 is positioned axially yof the instrument tube and 46, of which there are two at each end, and

the pair at each end constitutes bearings for a shaft which extends therebetween. On

each of such shafts there is fixed a pair of characteristic image. `'Ihese'individual mirrors are also preferably arranged on the cylinder at equal angular intervals. Each pair or set of mirror elements 48 is capable of independent movement with relation to the other pair, and the supporting shaft of each set is counterbalanced by a weight 49 whichv acts to maintain the position of the mirror elements with relation to a true vertical in spite of the tilting of the apparatus as a whole. The mirror carriage and the shaft 42 on which it'is mounted may rotate about the axis ofthe instrument tube 12, but such rotation is controlled by an out-of-balance weight 47 mounted on the carriage which will A exert a couple or force to move the carriage into a position, and in accordance with the direction of tilting of the apparatus, where the weight is in the plane of the direction of tilt and beneath the shaft 42. Therefore, the movable set of mirrors will be able to make a record not only of inclination but also of the direction of asuch inclination. Y.

As a further element of the system of reflectors or mirrors, there is provided, in this embodiment of the invention, a set of fixed or datum mirrors 23, the function of which is identical with that of the fixed mirrors described -in connection with the constructions of Figs. 1-4 inclusive. The positioning of this set of fixed mirrors which may be of any convenient number, is clearly shown in Fig. 7, with an arrow from each such element showing the direction of the reflected image through an opening in the wall of the instrument tube 12, and directed on to the film or record receiving surface 17. Also, still another set of reiectors or mirrors is provided, and shown in the drawings at 50.

. These reflectors are fixed to the lower edges of the depending fianges or arms 46 of the movable mirror carriage, and each will reflect a characteristic image as indicated by the varrows in Fig. 7. The number of records to be made by this set of mirrors will depend on the rotational position of the mirror carriage, and in the position of the carriage as shown in Fig. 7, two such records will be made, the other two being prevented by thewall of the tube 12.- This arrange.

stood that'a suitable light source, as 13 in Fig. 1, is employed, the beams from which are caught and reflected by the several sets of reflectors or mirrorsl above described.

film 17 by When the apparatus of Figs. 6 and 7 is in a vertical position, the records made upon the the various mirrors will .indicate zero inclination. y

When the apparatus occupies an inclined position as in Fig. 6, the weight 47 causes the carriage or frame 45 to rotate so-that the weighted end ofthe frame will assume the lowest possible position with respect to shaft 42 and the counter-balance weights 49. will be effective to maintain the position, relative to the vertical, of the cylindrical mirror supports 48. The centers of gravity of' the weights 49 will always lie in the vertical planes passing through the axes of the mirror su ports 48. u

elative rotation between the cylindrical mirror supports 48 and the carriage 45 in response to tilting, results in the zero mirrors-- on the Weighted end of the frame 45 moving,

upward and those on the other end moving downward. vThe mirrors in their new position will reflect different Iimpressions onto the film 17 through openings provided in instrument tube 12. AThe angular arrange-f ments of the mirrors on the cylinders 48 being known, the inclination of the apparatus can now be determined by comparative analysis of the bdistinguishing markings of the impressions produced by the lightreflected by the mirrors in their newposition.

The direction of inclination is measured from the center of one of the darkened areas (similar to 24 in Fi 4)l across the flattened out film to the positlon of animaginary axis of theA frame 45 to which all the mirror im'- pressions have a known angular relation.

Reference lines, similar to 26 in Fig. 4, may be drawn on the attened out film by means of the images recorded thereon from the fixed mirrors 23. These reference lines will facili tate accurate measurement of the vertical angles recorded by ders 48. v Y

With the mirrors 50 in use, direction of inthe mirrors on the cylinfclination may be obtained by measurement The direction of inclination may also bedetermined by measuring from the known position of an impressionof one of the fixed mirrors23. v I ,l

Instead of using reference1 lines drawn through impressions f the mirrors 23, reference lines may be drawn through'impressions from the mirrors 50.

It is to 'be understood, that one pair of cylindrical supports 48, their respective mirrors, and weight 47 may be dispensed with. These dispensable parts arestippled in Figs. 6 and 7.- The apparatus as shownin the-figures is preferred, however, as it providesv verifying or check records to avoid errors or inaccuracies in survey work.

1. In combination in a bore surveying instrument, a light-sensitive record member a light source and a plurality of reflecting members adapted to reflect light from such source upon such record member one of such re- Hecting members being fixed and the other beingImounted for movement.

n combination in a bore surveying in' strument, a light-sensitive recrd member a light source and a pluralit of reflecting members adapted to reflect ight from such source upon such record member one of such reflecting members being fixed and the other being mounted for movementin response to variations in the inclination of the instru-l ment.

3. In combination in a bore surveying instrument, a light-sensitive record member a v @o light source and a pluralit of reflecting members adapted to reflect lig t from such source upon such record member, one of said relecting members being pivotallyvsupported upon an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis ofthe instrument and the other being X fixed and positioned substantially inthe same `transverse plane as the first-mentioned refleeting member. Y

4. In combination vin a bore surveying inl v a0 strument, a light-sensitive record member a strument, a light-sensitive record'member a light source and a pluralit of reflecting source upon such record member one of such reflecting members being fixed and the other being mounted for movement in response to variations in the direction of inclination of the instrument.

. 6. In combination in a bore surveying instrument, a light-sensitive record member a light source1 Iand a plurality of reflecting members adapted to reflect light from such -source upon such record member each reflectf ing memberbeing mounted for pivotal movement relative to the light source ina single plane, and individual supports for the said reflecting members which are fixed with respect to the light force.

l 7. In combination in a bore surveying instrument, a light-sensitive record member a light source and a plurality of reflecting members adapted to reflect light from such source upon such record member some of such memf members adapted to reflect light from such members.

8. In combination in a bore surveying in- 7 strument, a light-sensitive record member a light source and a plurality of swinging refleeting units each mounted upon an axis fixed with respect to the light source, a mirror of each unit adapted to reflect light from such source upon such record member, and each unit adapted to make an independent record upon said light-sensitive record `member, such independent records being adapted to be combined to produce a 'single complete record of inclination and direction of the inclination.

9. In combination in a bore surveying instrument, a light-sensitive record member a light source and a plurality of swinging refleeting units a mirror of each unit adapted to reflect light from such source upon such record member, and each unit adapted to make an independent record upon said 1i htsensitive record member such indepen ent records being adapted to be combined to pro duce asingle complete` record of inclination and direction of the inclination, and a fixed mirror adapted to reflect an image upon such record member for the purpose of providing thereon a reference impression.

l 10. In combination in a bore surveying instrument, a light-sensitive record member, a light source and a plurality of reflecting members adaptedto reflect light from such source upon such record member one of such reflecting members being fixed, the other be- 1ng mounted to move in response to variations in the inclination of its support, and a shield mounted between such light source and such record member and provided with a plurality of perforations through which such reflecting members are adapted to reflect, the said record member being mounted for movement relative to the said shield. 11

11. In combination in a bore surveying instrument, a light-sensitive record member, a light source and a plurality of reflectin membersadapted to reflect light from suc source upon such record member, such reilectmg members being mounted upon a xed support each of them mounted for swinging movement about a single axis in response to inclination of its support, and a. shield mounted between such light source and such record member and'provided with a perforar tion through which such reflecting members are adapted to reflect.

12. In combination in a bore surveying instrument, a light-sensitive record member, a light source andAa plurality of reflecting units having a mirror adapted torele'ct light from such source upon such record member, one reflecting unit being fixed the remainder being movable and mounted upon a fixed support each of the movable being mount` ed for swinging movement about a single axis in response to inclination of its sup ort Vand adapted to reflect flight upon such ed reflecting member, and a shield mounted between such light source and such record member and provided with av perforation through which such reecting members are adapted to members beingiiXed with respect to said light source, the movable reflectors being adapted to reflect light from said light source upon said relatively ixed reflecting members for reflection onto said light-sensitive record member. Y

14. Inl combination in a bore surveying instrument, a light-sensitive record member, a light source and a plurality7 of reflecting members, a perforated shield adjacent said record member, two or more of said reectingv members being mounted for operative movement relative to said light source and a corresponding number of reflecting members being fixed relative to said light source, saidmovably mounted reflectors being adapted to reect light from said light source upon said relatively ixedrelectors for reflection upon said shield, the perforations in said shield being adapted 'to permitv a part of said reected light to fall 'upon the surface of said klight-sensitive record member to make a rec- 15. In combination in a bore surveying ini apparatus, and a second reilecting' member mounted for movement aboutl an.y axis the plane of which is parallel to the plane of movement of the first mentioned reflecting member. n

17. In combination in a bore hole survey apparatus, a light sensitive record member, alight source and a plurality of reflecting members adapted to reflect light from they light source onto the record member, one of said reiecting members being supported in lixed angular relation to saidlight source and another reflecting member mounted for movement relative to the light source and to said first mentioned reflecting member in respense to changes in inclination of the appa- I ratus.

18. In combination in a lbore hole survey apparatus, a light sensitive record member, a light .source and a plurality of reflecting members adapted to reflect light from the light source onto the record member, one of said reflecting members being fixed against movement relative to the light source and another of. said reflecting members being mounted to move in response' to variations in inclination of the apparatus to change its angular relation with respect to the light source.

' ALEXANDER ANDERSON.

strument, a light source, a plurality of refleeting members, a perforated shield of 'opaque material and a light-sensitive record member; at least two of said reiecting members being mounted for movement relative to .said shield and and a like number of reflect:- ing members -being fixed relativeto said shield, said shield being' positioned between i said fixed reflector and said light-sensitive' record member, said movably mounted vre-N ectors beingl adapted to Areflect light from said liht source upon said fixed reflectors for re ection upon said shield, the pe`rfora--4 tions in said shield being adapted to permit a part of said reflected light to fall on the surface of said light-sensitive record member to make a record of inclination thereon.

16. In combination vin a bore surveyinginstrument,-a light sensitive record member, a light sourceand a plurality 'of reflecting members adapted to ree'ctlightfrom'sa'id source onto said record member, one of said reflecting members being mounted for movement the path of which lies in a plane atv right angles to the longitudinal axis of the 

